Organizing and running winter triathlon competitions in Ukraine

Material & Methods: on the basis of the study of the specialized literature and the regulatory framework of a number of triathlon federations, a comparative analysis of the winter triathlon emulation at competition distances abroad and in Ukraine. Result: correspondence of two winters combined distances in Ukraine to the official formats of the international winter triathlon competitions in Europe and the world are found out.


Introduction
Published in the American magazine "Sport Illustrated" article of journalist Barry McDermott about the 1979 "Iron Man" competitions in Hawaii (3,862 km swimming + 180,2 km bicycle + 42,195 km running) caused the sports community increased interest in the unusual start and served as an impetus for the popularization of a new direction in sports -the athletes overcome the combined distance in a continuous sequence [2; 3].
Due to the spectacularity and attractiveness in the eighties of the last century, rapid development of triathlon began all over the world. In different countries there are a group of enthusiasts who organize and running continuous triathlon competitions at various distances along the length and different combinations of types of physical activity. Their spontaneous activity is gradually self-organizing, the distances and the sequence of stages are standardized when the triathlete passes the combined distance [2; 3].
In 1989, the International Triathlon Federation (ITU) was established in Avignon (France), which spearheaded all the work on holding annual sports events in the new sport.
In 2000, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, the triathlon made its debut and was represented by the same type of program at one combined distance of 51,5 km (1,5 km swimming + 40,0 km bike + 10,0 km running) [3; 4].
In addition to the types of the program, triathlon, aquatlon, duathlon, cross-country triathlon, consisting of combinations of physical activities of predominantly summer sports, the sport boom that was going on in the West in the 80 s of the last century around continuous triathlon caused the appearance of a winter version of the triathlon [3].
Considering that the preparation and participation in the competitions in innovative triathlon is one of the most promising areas for the development of winter sports in the world, the Federation of the Triathlon of Ukraine (FTU) has started to promote a relatively new direction in sports in our country [11; 12].
However, issues relating to becoming a kind of program of continuous triathlon, winter triathlon, the organization and conditions of the competition, and the degree of compliance with the basic requirement of triathlon -continuous and successive overcoming of the combined distance through running, bicycling and skiing is far from fully understood.
Purpose of the study: to analyze the system of organizing and running competitions according to the type of the triathlon-winter program in Ukraine for compliance with the rules of the ITU.

Objectives of the study:
1. Consider the process of becoming a kind of program of continuous triathlon winter triathlon.
2. Disclose the conditions for organizing and conducting competitions according to the type of the winter triathlon program on the basis of international rules.
3. Determine the correspondence of competitive distances according to the type of winter triathlon program in Ukraine to international standards in this sport.

Material and Methods of the research
1) studying and summarizing the literature and Internet sources, the ITU, FTU and other international federations regulations for assessing the degree of research of the problem and determining compliance with the basic requirement of continuous triathlon, which is the basis of the competitive process in the winter triathlon; 2) comparative analysis of the competitions conduct at officially recognized international formats of distances abroad and at competitive distances in Ukraine by the type of winter triathlon program. International Triathlon Federation (ITU) from the whole tested "diversity of species" and distances was used as a basis in the winter triathlon by the formula of running + bicycle + running on skis, and the standard distance is 7-9 km + 12-14 km + 10-12 km respectively. According to the current international rules, the variation in the length of the stages in insignificant limits is allowed in competitions of all ranks and depends on the characteristics of the terrain where they pass [4; 13].

Results of the research and their discussion
First competitions in ITU-approved combinations and distances (8,5 km running + 12,5 km bike + 10,0 km cross-country skiing) were held in 1995 in Italy (Mals) under the name "Winter Triathlon of South Tyrol". In 1997, in the same place and on the same distance of ITU, the first World Triathlon Winter Championships was held. First champions were: men -italian Paolo Riva (ski specialization), women -his compatriot, professional racer Maria Canins-Bonaldi [1].
In 2001, the first US winter triathlon championship was held, where the winners were the American cyclist Gretchen Reeves and the legendary sportsman -six-time United States cross country cycling champion, two-time champion of the "Xterra series" (1998,1999)  In 2006, the X World Championships in Winter Triathlon are attended by athletes from 37 countries from 5 continents.
ITU made a lot of efforts to include the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the winter version of the triathlon in the program of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver (2010), but was refused (hopefully a temporary one) [1; 2; 3].

Remark.
In 2014, in the Norwegian ski resort Skeikempen, for the first time in the world championships, the "Royal Winter Triathlon" competitions for the winter triathlon at a long distance were held 21,0 km run + 30,0 km bicycle + 30,0 km ski race (echoes of the German Inzelew 1989 start) [6].
The conditions of the winter triathlon competition are the same for both men and women and represent overcoming the selected winter combined distance by cross-country run + cross-country cycling race + cross-country race. Rules for the behavior of athletes on the race segments are the same as in the constituent sports. A certain specificity is observed when athletes pass the transit zone, where a change in the types of physical activity. Triathlet must know and observe the rules of the competition during their conduct [7; 8].

Requirements for sports outfit and equipment.
On a bicycle stage, mountain bikes are usually used, which cyclists use in cross-country competitions (cross-country race).

Remark. Necessarily having two brakes.
Cross-country skis and sticks select the triathletes themselves, depending on their preference (there are no strict requirements) and anthropometric features.
Basic equipment consists of a jumpsuit, a sports cap, gloves, a bicycle helmet (for safety according to the international standard), cross-country running shoes and ski boots.
In the form of additional equipment use glasses, ski balaclava, thermo-flaming, bike shoes with contact pedals (in contrast to the bicycle in them you can not only ride a bicycle, but also run, since the fixation mechanism with the pedal is placed not on the outside, but in the sole, and the base shoes are not rigid, but flexible). Before start. In advance of the start, the snow cover is rolled by snowmobiles along the entire length of the race distance. In parallel to the track at the start-finish site, the organizers arrange a transit zone, where each athlete is assigned an individual place for storing sporting equipment and equipment according to his starting number. Structurally, it is arranged in such a way that when it passes (during the change of stages), each triathlet overcomes the same distance.

Remark. It is also necessary to have several lubricants in order
Prior to the start of the competition, the athlete must pass the triathlon routine of the pre-start registration procedure, and also provide the judges with a technical inspection with their bike and bicycle helmet. After registration and receiving the start package, the participant can enter the transit and place his sports outfit and equipment in the place corresponding to his starting number [2].

Remark. For the installation of bicycles a special ramp is provided, which the organizers of the competition establish in the transit zone.
In the startup package is located: -number on the bike (fastened in front in the area of the rudder and base of the bicycle fork); -three self-adhesive sticker numbers for a bicycle helmet (glued in front and on each side); -two basic numbers in the form of a jersey (it is put on top on a overalls, therefore on an athlete's body one number is constantly in front, and another -behind at all stages of continuous triathlon); -one special indicator chip informing the computer of the distance of the triathlete (is attached to the ankle area of the participant's leg and is given if the course is equipped with appropriate equipment).
Before the start access to the transit zone is terminated.
Remark. In very cold weather, competitions can be postponed to the daytime or canceled if the air temperature is 18 degrees below zero (athletes' health is above all) [1].
Running segment. Competition in the form of the winter triathlon program begins with a cross run. Participants, wearing an indicator chip, a shirt with a personal number, line up (or several lines, depending on the number of athletes) on the border of the transit zone. After the shot of the starting pistol, everyone rushes to the road. The track of the running stage runs along the rolled snow cover, is designated by pointers and has a closed form.
first transit. Observance of the change in the types of physical activity in overcoming the winter combined distance is strictly regulated. Therefore, upon completion of the running stage, the triathletes are sent to their place in the transit zone. After taking off running shoes and getting into bike shoes, putting on his head and fastening (without removing the sports cap) bicycle helmet, participants take their bicycles and run with them (movement on a bicycle inside the transit is prohibited) are sent to the exit from the transit zone.
Bicycle segment. At the border of the transit zone, athletes board mountain bikes (the width of the tires is preferably not already 40 mm) and go to the second stage of the winter triathlon. Cycle of the bicycle stage is also laid along the snow cover and is complicated by the ascent and descent (for more complete disclosure of the possibilities of the race participants), has a closed form and is indicated by pointers.
Remark. All the bike malfunctions that have arisen during the race are eliminated by the athletes themselves, and on the steep climbs cycling can be replaced by running, while holding the bicycle by hand (a fairly frequent sight with an incorrectly selected gear ratio of the leading and driven sprockets that do not correspond to the topography of the area).

Second transit.
Completing the race in the snow, the triathletes dismount before the border of the transit zone (driving inside is unacceptable) and running, holding the bicycle by hand, go to their place in transit. Having installed the bicycle on the ramp, taking off the bicycle helmet and changing into ski boots, picking up skis and ski poles, run to the border of the transit zone, where, having fastened skis to the toes of shoes, go to a ski race.
Ski segment. At the third stage of passing the winter combined distance, athletes are allowed to use any style of running (skating or classic). Also, if there are snow glades on the track, it is allowed to ski along the ground, or with ski equipment in hands.

Remark. Existing rules the triathlete is not forbidden to get rid of two ski poles and one ski and finish the ski run by running, carrying one ski in hands.
Completion of the run on skis and the competitions themselves in the form of the winter triathlon program takes place in the "finishing gates".
In addition to individual competitions of athletes in the winter triathlon, there is also a relay race where teams of 3 people take part, each of which successively overcomes a short distance (3,0 + 5,0 + 5,0 km). Championships of Europe and the world held since 1997 [2; 4].
Remark. At competitions of the highest level, before the start of the competition, the participants, coaches and team representatives are informed of the selection system of athletes subject to anti-doping control (usually winners, prize-winners and triathletes, determined by lot). At the end of the distance passage, the indicated persons in the medical commission's premises shall pass tests for the presence in their bodies of prohibited pharmacological substances [2].
In Ukraine, the winter direction in continuous triathlon under the leadership of the Federation of Triathlon of Ukraine is only developing. The purpose of organizing the All-Ukrainian competitions in the form of the winter triathlon program is the further popularization of the innovative direction in the domestic sport [10; 11; 12].
The first winter triathlon championship in our country with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine under the auspices of the FTU was held in 2007 in Kiev on the plateau of Holosiivsky Forest (standard distance) [5].
The rank of sporting events for the winter triathlon, distances,